Inspector: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$48,570

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

597,370

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Most common education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

70% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (O*NET-SOC 51-9061.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
2. Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
3. Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
4. Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
5. Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
6. Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
7. Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
8. Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.

Telework available

less than 0.5%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

31.5%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Light

45.4% of workers

Can pause work

57.9%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

less than 10%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

52.1%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Transportation equipment manufacturing10.6% of all jobs in this occupation · +1.1% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $63,840
2. Professional, scientific, and technical services9.8% of all jobs in this occupation · +7.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $59,710
3. Fabricated metal product manufacturing8.0% of all jobs in this occupation · -1.3% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $53,210
4. Food manufacturing7.8% of all jobs in this occupation · +5.9% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $47,170
5. Administrative and support services7.4% of all jobs in this occupation · -0.8% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $41,610
6. Plastics and rubber products manufacturing5.9% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.3% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $47,130

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: Production and Processing, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Mechanical, Mathematics.

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• Extensible markup language XMLEnterprise application integration softwareHot technology
• Microsoft VisioProcess mapping and design softwareHot technology
• SeleniumProgram testing softwareHot technology
• The MathWorks MATLABAnalytical or scientific softwareHot technology
• Apache PigData base management system software
• Computer assisted design softwareComputer aided design CAD software
• Computer-aided inspection softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM software
• Coordinate measuring machine softwareIndustrial control software

Also called: QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor), QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector), QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician), QC Technician (Quality Control Technician), Quality Auditor.